SAFC makes playoff-ready statement

Updated 11:12 pm, Saturday, October 14, 2017

Rio Grande Valley Toros FC play San Antonio FC during the first half of a USL soccer match, Saturday, Oct. 14, 2017, at Toyota Field in San Antonio.

Rio Grande Valley Toros FC play San Antonio FC during the first half of a USL soccer match, Saturday, Oct. 14, 2017, at Toyota Field in San Antonio.

Photo: Darren Abate /USL

SAFC makes playoff-ready statement

1 / 1

Back to Gallery

A playoff berth had already been secured. The right to host a postseason match was locked up a few days earlier.

With little more than seeding and momentum on the line, San Antonio FC easily could have put its collective feet up for its regular-season finale and avoid inflicting any damage in terms of cards and injuries.

Instead, the local United Soccer League club made a resounding statement Saturday that it might be a serious title contender.

Ever Guzman continued his recent scoring outburst with two goals as SAFC dropped Rio Grande Valley FC 3-1 in a USL match before 7,604 at Toyota Field. Guzman has scored goals in three straight matches and four overall.

“Everybody in that locker room that’s been there this year has worked extremely hard to put this team in the position that we’re in,” SAFC coach Darren Powell said.

SAFC (17-4-11) locked up the USL Western Conference No. 2 seed and will host a first-round playoff contest at 7:30 p.m. next Saturday at Toyota Field. An opponent is still to be determined since the regular season concludes Sunday.

Georgia RB Nick Chubb 'Could Be Rookie of the Year in the Right System'Sports Illustrated

Report: Martin charged with making criminal threatsSports Illustrated

Give and Go: Are the Blazers Legitimate Title Contenders?Sports Illustrated

UMBC prepares offer to keep coach Ryan OdomSports Illustrated

The Line: Bad Bets from the First Weekend of March MadnessSports Illustrated

The Line Ep. 16: Recapping a Mad First Weekend of the NCAA TournamentSports Illustrated

Sports Animated: Untold Stories Drawn to LifeSports Illustrated

“This win is a big win,” SAFC midfielder Billy Forbes said. “It’s important. It’s a big momentum (builder) heading into the playoffs. Tonight, we wanted to come out and step up the pace a little bit. I think we did a great job.”

Paced by its best offensive output in four months, SAFC took control early, weathered a surge from RGV (9-15-8), then reclaimed advantage. The three goals equaled the most the team has scored since tallying three against Tulsa on June 17.

Guzman’s goal in the 59th minute, off an assist from Forbes, gave the Alamo City squad a 3-1 margin only 12 minutes after RGV had closed within 2-1 on Eric Bird’s goal in the 47th minute.

RGV would not threatened again and was forced to play the final 17 minutes with only 10 players after forward Jose Escalante was sent off with a red card for violent conduct after kicking SAFC midfielder Omar Gordon in the back.

“The more that we can stay connected and keep the play in front of us and limit their chances, I think the better off we’re going to be,” SAFC defender Greg Cochrane said.

SAFC led 2-0 at halftime, getting both of its scores during a five-minute span.

Guzman ran onto a pass from Gordon and slotted a shot inside the left post for a 2-0 advantage in the 34th minute. Five minutes earlier, Forbes netted his club-record 10th goal of the season when he capitalized on a defensive blunder by RGV goalkeeper Calle Brown, who attempted to make a diving save of a ball headed back to him by teammate Kevin Garcia but instead knocked the ball right to Forbes.

A midfielder, Forbes dribbled along the goal line and calmly tapped in perhaps his easiest goal.

“I knew what I wanted to do,” Forbes said. “I didn’t want to hit the ball too early because I was in the corner. I wanted to get in front of the goal before I hit the ball.”